County Gets Grant for Child Car Seats, Safety Education and Training Program

A $150,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will fund child car seats for low-income families, as well as child passenger safety education and training programs aimed at helping parents and caretakers make sure their child is riding safely. The grant covers the 2019 federal fiscal year, which is Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2019.

“Children are our future and it is important that parents and caretakers keep children safe by using the right car seat, and installing it correctly,” OTS Director Rhonda Craft said. “Funding for child passenger safety education and training is critical to ensuring children are as safe as possible in vehicles.”

Funding from OTS will go toward a variety of activities to promote occupant safety and decrease injuries and deaths due to improper use of car seats, boosters or seat belts:

A nationwide survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety found that two out of three car seats are misused. Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for children, and car seats save lives by reducing the risk of injury or death.

The grant’s objective is to increase the proper use of child safety seats, the use of seat belts and to educate parents about vehicle safety.